New River Trail State Park Camping TripOctober 8-10, 2010Trip planner: Steve Lonegan (cell: 919.824.5640 | email: lonegan@bellsouth.net)
Saddle up, Pack 825! Time for Fall camping trip that features another scenic bike expedition. This time the journey is along the New River Trail in Virginia. The trip promises to be one of the highlights of the year so I hope you can make it. Attendance is open to Pack 825 Scouts and their families. The group bike trip is slated for Saturday. It will not involve shuttling this time. We will depart on bikes directly from our camp site. The trail is a very gentle grade (it is an abandoned railroad line) and can be ridden by all ages. The cost for the trip will be $15/person to cover food, drink, and snacks for Saturday & Sunday. New River State Park is just 2.5 hours from Chapel Hill -- much closer than the Creeper! See below for information on bike rental options.
Campground Information
New River Trail State Park, Foster Falls, VA, Millrace campground.
Address for GPS, Google Maps: 176 Orphanage Dr, Max Meadows, VA 24360.
We have the following camp sites: 1, 4, 7, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
We will dedicate Site 18 for group activities like meals, campfires, general gathering. So, please do NOT place your tent at Site 18.
This leaves 8 sites for 16 families. Tents MUST go on tent pads. Please place your tent on the pad in the most efficient way possible to make room.
The first 18 cars from our group will receive a free parking pass at the gate. Additional cars must pay $2 to park.
The campground hours are 8AM to 10PM. If you must enter outside of those hours I am told you can do so through the Exit Gate. But you'll need to open / close the gate yourself.
There are NO showers at the campground. There is a restroom very near our sites. Toilets are not of the flush variety FYI.
Quiet hours at the camp are 10PM to 6AM.
Firewood is $4/day per site. All you can burn!
Additional Notes:
Please sign out on the clipboard that will be under the kitchen tent if you leave the campsite for non-pack activities.
Due to scouting regulations water activities are not approved. Please do not partake in any water activities (swimming, canoeing, kayaking, etc.).
What to bring
Here is a checklist that you may find helpful. If you have shelter of this sortplease consider bringing it.
IMPORTANT: Each camper will be responsible for their own drinking vessels: one for cold drinks and one for hot (coffee & hot chocolate). We will NOT provide disposable cups of any sort.
And, of course, bring your bikes!
Meals
All Saturday meals and Sunday breakfast prepared/eaten together as a Pack. See schedule below for kitchen assignments. Campers are on their own for Friday dinner.
Saturday
7:00-9:00 Breakfast (Web 1 parents lead cooking / All scouts help clean)
9:00-10:00 Prepare lunches for trail ride
10:00-3:00 Trail ride
3:00-6:00 Free time back at camp
6:00-8:00 Dinner (Web 2 parents lead cooking / All scouts help clean)
8:00 Campfire
Sunday
7:00-9:00 Breakfast (Bear parents cook / All scouts help clean)
9:00- Free time, break camp, etc.
Bike Ride
The bike ride is the MAIN EVENT for this trip. It will be different than the Creeper. This ride starts directly from our campground and is an "out and back". That is, there is no designated end point.
Families are responsible for their own children.
The ride begins at 10AM Saturday. Please be ready. We'll have a sandwich-making station at camp so please prepare lunches/snacks beforehand. There is NO WATER or services along the trail.
The first stop is Shot Tower (PDF), a historical landmark. It's officially closed for the season but I'm told you can still go inside and climb it. Shot Tower is about 1 mile from the start point.
The next landmark, if you can call it that, is a neat tunnel along the route. It's about 4.5 miles from the start. I recommend we gather and eat lunch as a group here.
After lunch I think we should split up into smaller groups. Some will wish to turn around, others to continue along the trail. The next neat feature is a trestle across the New River (7 miles from start).
Re: Safety... the trail is wide. However, it follows the New River. At times there is a sheer drop off the side. Everyone needs to be careful.
If you require emergency help Dial 911. Cell service is good along the route and response time is excellent. There are mile markers and other features you can use to pinpoint your location.
Bikes I heard that the outfitter has no more bikes to rent. You can check for yourself at the number below if necessary. BTW, you can use any type of bike on this trail though one with wider tires might be preferred. The trail is made of fine, hard pack, crushed gravel. Foster Falls River Company Tele: 276.699.1034 Rates: $5/hour, $12/half-day, $18 all day. Rules of the Trail
Let's be responsible and safe cycling citizens! This is a MULTI-USE trail... meaning we'll be sharing it with HORSES. Please be sure to review these rules with your family.
Do not ride recklessly. Keep your bike under control.
When approaching horses SLOW DOWN before getting to them and wait for direction from the riders. It may be best to dismount your bikes and walk them by.
When approaching hikers and other bikers let them know you are passing well before you are on them... call out "passing on your left/right."
When stopping along the trail get your bikes completely off the trail.
Parents are responsible for their own kids.
Fishing Kids under 12 must be accompanied by a licensed adult. A 5 day non-resident, freshwater license can be purchased and printed online here. The cost is $16. Additional info can also be found here.
Attendees
Here is the list of Pack 825 families signed-up for the trip. If you wish to attend but are not on this list please send me an email. Also, if you are on the list but have decided not to attend please let me know.
New River Trail State Park Camping TripOctober 8-10, 2010Trip planner: Steve Lonegan (cell: 919.824.5640 | email: lonegan@bellsouth.net)
Saddle up, Pack 825! Time for Fall camping trip that features another scenic bike expedition. This time the journey is along the New River Trail in Virginia. The trip promises to be one of the highlights of the year so I hope you can make it. Attendance is open to Pack 825 Scouts and their families. The group bike trip is slated for Saturday. It will not involve shuttling this time. We will depart on bikes directly from our camp site. The trail is a very gentle grade (it is an abandoned railroad line) and can be ridden by all ages. The cost for the trip will be $15/person to cover food, drink, and snacks for Saturday & Sunday. New River State Park is just 2.5 hours from Chapel Hill -- much closer than the Creeper! See below for information on bike rental options.
Campground Information
New River Trail State Park, Foster Falls, VA, Millrace campground.
Address for GPS, Google Maps: 176 Orphanage Dr, Max Meadows, VA 24360.
Additional Notes:
What to bring
Meals
All Saturday meals and Sunday breakfast prepared/eaten together as a Pack. See schedule below for kitchen assignments. Campers are on their own for Friday dinner.
Schedule
Friday
5:00-8:00 Set-up camp
8:00 Campfire
Saturday
7:00-9:00 Breakfast (Web 1 parents lead cooking / All scouts help clean)
9:00-10:00 Prepare lunches for trail ride
10:00-3:00 Trail ride
3:00-6:00 Free time back at camp
6:00-8:00 Dinner (Web 2 parents lead cooking / All scouts help clean)
8:00 Campfire
Sunday
7:00-9:00 Breakfast (Bear parents cook / All scouts help clean)
9:00- Free time, break camp, etc.
Bike Ride
Bikes
I heard that the outfitter has no more bikes to rent. You can check for yourself at the number below if necessary. BTW, you can use any type of bike on this trail though one with wider tires might be preferred. The trail is made of fine, hard pack, crushed gravel.
Foster Falls River Company Tele: 276.699.1034
Rates: $5/hour, $12/half-day, $18 all day.
Rules of the Trail
Let's be responsible and safe cycling citizens! This is a MULTI-USE trail... meaning we'll be sharing it with HORSES. Please be sure to review these rules with your family.
Fishing
Kids under 12 must be accompanied by a licensed adult. A 5 day non-resident, freshwater license can be purchased and printed online here. The cost is $16. Additional info can also be found here.
Attendees
Here is the list of Pack 825 families signed-up for the trip. If you wish to attend but are not on this list please send me an email. Also, if you are on the list but have decided not to attend please let me know.
Weather
Fall Foliage Tracker
Additional Information
Virginia State Parks -- New River
Virginia Outdoors -- New River
Relive the Fall '09 Creeper Trip!